Even in 60 degree weather, with the sun shining bright and the grass green, there is still a festive, holiday feeling in the air, as students chow down on donuts and fresh hot chocolate and Christmas music blares from speakers scattered throughout the school. After eating to their hearts’ content, the students head down to the bus loop, where they help load dozens of boxes of toys into trucks that would take the toys to be given out to some 600 children and families in need.

On December 11, 2015, Delbarton conducted its annual Christmas Gift Drive, where Delbarton’s 30 plus deaneries came together during M Block to pack, seal, and load boxes of gifts donated by the students themselves. There was nearly 100 percent participation, as pretty much every student brought in at least two toys each, amounting to over 1200 toys in total. During M block, which was extended from half an hour to an hour for this special event, the students gathered in their deaneries to pack the toys. Then they counted the toys and took them down to the bus loop, where with the help of several parent volunteers, they loaded the toys into an 18-wheeler. The truck would then take the toys to Paterson, where they would be given out by, not surprisingly, more Delbarton student volunteers, making the days and holidays of hundreds of families and their children.

Even though the families of Delbarton may not be too concerned about whether or not they can afford Christmas gifts for their children and family members, there are many other families who are. The students of Delbarton know this, and through the 2015 Christmas Gift Drive, they have ensured that many of these families in need will be able to see their children’s faces light up in joy on Christmas Day. Christmas is a very special holiday. And Delbarton is a very special place.